Sports

Julius Blum beats Timken to win the Industrial League

TERRANCE THOMAS, LTN Staff Writer

Jan. 25, 2002 - Lee Ward’s layup with 35 seconds left gave the Julius Blum the lead for good against Timken as Julius Blum went on to capture its first Lincoln Recreation Industrial League basketball championship Wednesday.

Ward drove inside for the score and the Timken the league’s regular season champion couldn’t get a basket at the end. Julius Blum went on to win 39-38.

“It’s been a long time due,” said Blum team captain Brad Conner, who had a game-high 18 points. “We lost three years in a row to Timken. We finally got over the hump. It feels good.”

Blum came in second in the six-team Industrial League. In the double-elimination tournament, Blum defeated Heafner Tire and  Timken and waited for the winner of the losers’ bracket.

Timken defeated the La-Z-Boy Monday for the right to get a rematch with Blum.

Recreation personnel said the two teams were even.

In Wednesday’s game no one led by more than seven. Timken was up 18-15 at the half but Blum had tied the game with 13 minutes left and went up 30-28 with five minutes to play.

Timken had a slim lead, 31-30 with just over two minutes left. Conner nailed a 3-pointer to give his team the lead but Timken’s Robbie Nixon scored to tie it up with 1:58 to play.

That was Timken’s last basket.

Ward made his basket. It turned out to be the game-winner.

“We knew it was going to be close,” Ward said. “Their press broke down and I got a good look. I’m relieved we finally beat them.”

Ward and Marco Arias both had eight for Blum. Marcus Farley added five.

Nixon scored 11 for Timken. Keith Rendleman (8), Billy Joe Bynum (6), Chris Patterson (6) and Todd Lautzenheiser (2) contributed to the team’s efforts.

Despite losing, Wayne Bess said the Timken is not done for good.

“It’s just a break in the Timken dynasty,” he said. “We did win the regular season. Give Blum players credit. They have a good team.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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